Since the game will soon be removed from the store, here’s my two cents for those who collect great games.

Gameplay - Classic arcade racing with a mix of completely unnecessary simulator elements. The tracks are diverse, the variety of modes is extensive, there are tons of cars, the open world is vast and exploring it is extremely enjoyable, and the changing seasons (1 week per season) give the game world a unique feel. The only downside is the fine-tuning of cars, which comes straight from simulators, and here’s why:

1) Considering the huge number of cars, adjusting each one down to the millimeter can quickly become tiresome, especially when playing on the highest difficulty. Moreover, changing a parameter by just 0.1 can turn a car into a race machine, which feels unrealistic and makes me even less inclined to figure it out. Thankfully, there’s an option to load settings from other players, which is much appreciated.

2) If the game claims to be realistic, then why are crucial aspects like ground resistance missing? Without checkpoints, everyone would drive on the dirt road, regardless of whether you have a Bugatti Veyron or a Ford Focus RS RX for rallycross, because the car with the better engine would win, not the one fine-tuned for specific goals. The weight difference is only noticeable between a truck and a Mini Cooper, slipstreaming is non-existent, detailed damage affecting specific parts of the car (sometimes the car just stops accelerating without any visible reason), and the suspension doesn’t feel realistic at all (play Dirt Rally and you’ll understand what I mean).

3) All possible forces affecting the car while driving don’t apply to the AI, which just drives in a straight line. If you don’t overtake them in one of the first turns, chances are you won’t be able to overtake them at all.

On the plus side, the various events and community interactions are worth mentioning: the ability to share car setups, vinyls, create your own races, weekly events with prizes, ranked races, and more.

The glaring flaws include getting stuck in rocks without being able to get out and the pixelated trees that will catch you while driving through forests. The lack of a reset car button means you have to wait for the game to decide to respawn you after getting stuck, which looks ridiculous, especially in co-op.

Multiplayer - Its existence is certainly commendable, but there’s absolutely no desire to play it. Here’s why:

1) Incredibly long wait times for matchmaking. I played 5 races in an hour and a half, which is unacceptable for online play.

2) This isn’t just a multiplayer problem, but a racing issue in general – checkpoint limitations. The purpose is clear, to prevent cutting half the track, but when you miss a checkpoint by a millimeter and have to go back, it feels absurd.

3) Slowing down when hitting walls. This must have been thought up by someone with the IQ of a loaf of bread. When you hit a wall, you already lose speed and trajectory, but it’s your choice, accepting the consequences of careless driving. Here, the game adds insult to injury by slowing you down even more, just because it wants to. Penalty upon penalty. Bravo.

4) Collisions. The cars just become intangible. Why? What for? Apparently, the same person responsible for the previous point worked on this too.

Graphics - Incredibly beautiful visuals even in 2024. The cars are excellently detailed, including the interiors. Gorgeous landscapes that change with the seasons.

Audio - Super cool music selection for every taste, presented as radio stations. And while there isn’t much for each station, I haven’t gotten tired of a single track in 100 hours. A minor drawback – when switching radio stations, the track doesn’t continue, so you can’t skip a song that doesn’t fit the situation or that you just don’t like. The engine sounds are also pleasing to the ear.

Conclusion - Excellent arcade racing with unnecessary sim elements. The graphics are great, as is the audio. It’s better to avoid multiplayer, and it’s best to download car setups for a more enjoyable experience.

10 car collections out of 10.